You know the valuably homey feeling you experience as you enter a prefecturally designed farmhouse bedroom? The one you feel like taking off your shoes and settling in with a nice book? I have always been crazy about making that atmosphere and I should say that it is not that difficult to transform your bedroom into a country house.
The secret sauce to achieving farmhouse bedroom style has been found after many hours of scrolling through Pinterest (don’t judge), and trying it in my own space. It is all about being comfortable and adding character, old and new, and making spaces so that they feel like they belong to you.
Embrace Weathered Wood Elements
Weathered wood is nothing like to scream farmhouse, and, frankly, that is the simplest method to bring the immediate character to your bedroom. I began with a reclaimed wood headboard and what a transformation was made.
You need not spend more than a bank on it. Visit your local flea markets or even go on Facebook Marketplace – there are always people who sell according to their weathered pieces of wood. Pallet wood, wood waste or even driftwood: These materials can do miracles when they are cleaned well.
Consider these weathered wood additions:
- Accent walls behind your bed
- Floating nightstands
- Picture frames
- Ceiling beams (if you’re feeling ambitious)
Pro tip: When you can not locate real weathered wood, you can most certainly fake it using some sandpaper and wood stain. The trick is that it should be made to look like it has been worn, not as though you hit it with power tools 🙂
Layer Vintage Textiles and Linens
Farmhouse bedrooms shine here indeed – layers of textiles which tell a tale. I am referring to the combination of various patterns, textures and ages of fabrics to form that very irregular appearance.
Use the first step as your bedding. Linens in white or cream colors are best to use since they are classic and allow you to experiment with other components. Then layer on:
- Vintage quilts (real or reproduction)
- Chunky knit throws
- Linen pillows in muted tones
- Burlap or grain sack accents
The trick here is balance. You get it to appear gathered, not as if you went to the same store that day and purchased everything. Include family treasures, should you have them – the quilt of the grand-mother is just as old as it must be to pass off as an authentic item.
Install Shiplap or Board and Batten
O.k., I can guess what you are thinking, not another shiplap obsession. But hear me out. Shiploadap or board and batten will change the architectural nature of your bedroom when correctly done.
You do not need to make it all Chip and Joanna Gaines. Trial it as a more accent wall behind your headboard or board and batten wainscoting the lower half of your walls. It provides the space with volume and interest without crowding the space.
| Installation Option | Difficulty Level | Cost Range | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Shiplap | Moderate | $2-6/sq ft | 2-3 days |
| Board and Batten | Easy-Moderate | $3-8/sq ft | 1-2 days |
| Professional Install | Easy for you! | $8-15/sq ft | 1 day |
Incidentally, removable wallpaper of shiplap patterns can provide you with the appearance without the permanence, should you be renting.
Add Mason Jar and Galvanized Metal Accents
These details are screams of farmhouse but the trick is in their consideration. The use of mason jars makes great bedside lamps, flower vases or even storage of small things. Galvanized metal provides that country farm ambience with planters, picture frames or light fixtures.
I was the one who found this out in a very bitter manner – do not get carried away with these accents. Several strategic objects are more effective than blowing your bedroom up to a country store.
Create a Cozy Reading Nook
Each farmhouse bedroom has to have a location that you can escape to in the morning with your morning coffee. I cut myself a niche by my window and made the ideal reading corner with:
- A vintage wooden chair or upholstered armchair
- A small side table for your coffee mug
- A soft throw blanket
- Good lighting (more on that later)
This small space has come to be my favorite section of the room. It is the place that I begin each morning and it is all about that slow and deliberate farmhouse life.
Choose Warm, Neutral Color Palettes
Farmhouse bedrooms are successful on warm, low-key colors that are relaxing and calming. Imagine creamy whites, soft grays, warm beiges and dusty blues.
Here’s my go-to color formula:
- Base: White or cream walls
- Secondary: One muted accent color (sage green, dusty blue, or soft gray)
- Accents: Natural wood tones and black metal touches
It can be a very versatile palette. Easily replace the accent pieces according to seasons without having to repaint all of it.
Incorporate Vintage Lighting Fixtures
It is light that turns on a farmhouse bedroom or off, and I have erred enough with regards to this. Pendant lights in industries, old chandeliers and hangers made of wrought iron work well.
My favorite find was an old chicken coop light fixture I converted for my bedside reading. It cost me $15 at a yard sale and gives off the most amazing warm glow.
Key Lighting Elements:
- Ambient lighting: Overhead fixture or ceiling fan with lights
- Task lighting: Bedside lamps for reading
- Accent lighting: String lights or candles for mood
Have you ever wondered how farmhouse lighting is so comfortable? It all depends on the warm light bulbs (2700K-3000K) rather than the daylight bulbs.
Use Antique Furniture Pieces
This is one place where you can express your personality well. An antique or vintage furniture imparts a personality that can never be found in new furniture. I am not referring to costly antiques – just items with history and patina.
Some of my best bedroom finds:
- A vintage vanity that doubles as a desk
- An old wooden trunk for storage at the foot of the bed
- Mismatched nightstands (they don’t have to match – that’s the beauty!)
The patina and wear of these items have stories and that is what is very attractive about farmhouse decor.
Add Natural Elements and Greenery
Farmhouse style glorifies the relationship with nature, thus it is crucial to introduce natural things into the house. I keep it simple with:
- Dried flowers in vintage vases
- Potted herbs on the windowsill
- Wooden bowls with seasonal items
- Stone or ceramic accents
Plants do not necessarily need to be complex. Even a plain snake plant or pothos can be cozy in most of the conditions of the light in the bedroom and adds that natural feel.
Display Meaningful Collections and Artwork
The most desirable farmhouse bedrooms are intimate and eclectic. I put on display things that really matter to me, vintage books, old family photos, home made pottery, and folk art.
Use odd number of items in the group (more beautiful to the eye), alternate between heights and textures. The reason why you may think that the bunch of old milk bottles is incidental is because you love them and they should be there in your environment.
Display Ideas:
- Gallery walls with vintage frames
- Open shelving for books and collections
- Floating shelves for plants and decor
- Vintage ladders as unique display pieces
It is always to keep in mind that farmhouse style is all about authenticity, and not perfection. It is the little things that make your bedroom unique and personal to you.
It all comes down to a combination of cozy and character to create a farmhouse bedroom you would like to hang out in. Purchasing all the new stuff and going with all these trends is not what it is all about, but making a home.
You can start with one or two elements which are appealing to you, perhaps that old wood headboard or some old fabric. Start there and do not be in a hurry. The finest farmhouse bedrooms change with time, just as are the case in the farmhouses that inspired them.
The prettiest spaces are the ones that convey your story, and in a way that allows one to feel like they are in that lived-in farmhouse look. Now take a cup of coffee, make plans and prepare to fall in love with your bedroom again!
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